Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together.

The Cabinet sub-committee on health had its first meeting on Wednesday, 5 October. It comprises me as chairman and the Minister for Health as convenor. The other members are the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, the Minister of State with responsibility for primary care and the Minister of State with responsibility for disability, equality, mental health and older people. The chairman and CEO of the HSE also attend, as do senior officials from relevant Departments and the HSE. Ministerial advisers may attend as required. As with all Cabinet sub-committees, other Ministers, Ministers of State and the Attorney General may also attend if and when required.

The sub-committee is meeting on a monthly basis, with the next meeting set for this Friday, 11 November. I have not made any changes to the sub-committee since its establishment. The membership is reflective of the key ministerial responsibilities and along similar lines to previous such committees. The work of the sub-committee is to provide a basis for political oversight of the development and delivery of the key health service reforms in line with the commitments in the programme for Government and to drive improvements in selected priority service delivery areas.

See this speech in context